COLIN NISH hopes his goalscoring form has returned in the nick of time to save Dundee from the drop.

The Dens Park striker notched only his third of the season in last week’s 5-1 Scottish Cup demolition of Morton.

It was his first strike for the Dark Blues in almost four months in a frustrating season that mirrors the form of the SPL basement boys.

Dundee are 14 points adrift of St Mirren and 15 behind tonight’s opponents Ross County at the foot of the table with only 14 games to play.

Nish, 31, is refusing to pile pressure on his team by declaring it’s win or bust as Dens boss Barry Smith bristles at suggestions his side look destined for a return to the First Division.

Dundee have won just three times in the league, including twice at home, and Nish hopes his rotten run of luck in front of goal has come to an end just in time to help the club escape relegation.

He said: “When you haven’t scored for a while you have to keep doing the right things and hoping something goes for you – and it did for me last week against Morton.

“I deserved that. Fraser Forster pulled off the save of the season against me recently and I also rounded the keeper against Hearts, only for their defender to clear it off the line.

“It’s things like that you need to go for you and hopefully I’ll go on a wee run now.

“It’s always funny when it comes to games like this. You don’t want to say it’s too important just in case it doesn’t go to plan but Ross County are just above us and we now need to go and win some games.”

Smith was forced to defend Nish in the aftermath of the Ton victory after he was on the receiving end of stick from fans.

Nish insists he didn’t even hear the boo boys but long ago grew accustomed to focusing only on those aspects of his professional life he can control.

He added: “I didn’t know I was getting any criticism from fans to be honest. I’m not too fussed, it’s one of those things. I can’t be the only one getting it.

“It can be difficult as a striker but you can only do what you do – results have not been down to a lack of effort across the squad and we haven’t enjoyed the rub of the green at times.

“Of course I’d like to score more but it’s down to everyone in the team to chip in and that includes the other strikers and midfielders, not just me.

“Players take confidence from playing well. If you do that you’re high as a kite and if not your confidence can drop a little and you’ve got to do better. That desire to do better must come from within, as a footballer.

“It’s important to try not to put extra pressure on yourself that doesn’t need to be there, although we know it exists and it will be with us until the end of the season.

“We must learn to deal with it and take the confidence from last weekend’s performance and result against Morton, especially after scoring a few goals. We know we can do it.”

Smith was angered yesterday when it was put to him his side are chasing a lost cause and that it was now make or break.

He added: “Is that how you see it? I see it as another game. There is no point in distinguishing one game from the next. We need to pick up three points – and in the next game we need to pick up three points too.

“We know what to expect from Ross County.

“They will try to frustrate us and get men behind the ball as quickly as possible.

“However, we are approaching the game with confidence after such a good performance against Morton.

“To score five goals against the side top of the First Division shows how far we’ve come.”